For city of Tallahassee employees, building three homes in the Griffin Heights and Frenchtown neighborhoods over the past three months has been a labor of love, made possible by a partnership with Big Bend Habitat for Humanity.

Leaders with both organizations presented keys to the new homeowners and their families on Tuesday.

“Home should be an attainable goal for every resident of Tallahassee,” Mayor Pro Tem Curtis Richardson said. “This partnership with Habitat for Humanity is just one way that the City is demonstrating its commitment to ensuring affordable housing options exist in our community. I’m extremely proud of our efforts and the dedicated City employees who helped make these homes possible.”

City Commissioner Curtis Richardson talks Tuesday before three homes are presented to community members. The city of Tallahassee partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build and donate three homes for community members in need.(Photo: Courtesy COT)

Earlier this year, the City Commission voted to sponsor the construction of three Habitat for Humanity homes, in the form of financial support in the amount of $195,000 and volunteered manpower provided by city of Tallahassee employees.

Building of the three homes officially began on April 7. Since then, city employees volunteered nearly 2,000 hours to complete the homes’ construction. From literally raising roofs and framing the homes through laying sod and moving furniture, volunteers participated in every stage of construction.

With work now complete, the families of Johnny McGriff, Yolanda Lemon and Sabrina Rogers can move in and enjoy homes built with care. The homes are located at 1014 and 1016 Harlem Street and 1432 Colorado Street.

The city of Tallahassee partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build and donate three homes for community members in need.(Photo: Courtesy COT)

Last fall, city employees successfully built two homes for local families in southwest Tallahassee on McArthur Street.

“At Habitat for Humanity, there’s no greater reward than helping dreams come alive for families and communities,” said Antoine Wright, executive director of Big Bend Habitat for Humanity. “During this build process City employees poured their hearts and hard work into building homes for three deserving families, this is the same kind of commitment they show every day for the residents of Tallahassee.”

Big Bend Habitat for Humanity provides affordable homeownership to low-income persons. The Habit for Humanity model allows for groups and individuals to sponsor homes through financial contributions and pledges of volunteer labor. Individuals who acquire a home through Habitat for Humanity must in turn provide volunteer labor for other homes built by the organization.